Cool Things To Do in January in Atlanta

By Mary Welch

Published December 11, 2023
Last Updated January 5, 2024

January is the month to take a breath after the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean just sitting inside. Put on your winter coat and try some of these cool things to do in January.

Anchors Away

The 2024 Atlanta Boat Show returns to the Georgia World Congress Center Jan. 11-14, 2024, with everything you need for water adventures. See the latest in power boats and pontoons as well as personal watercraft, fishing gear, boating accessories and marine electronics. There also are educational experiences. The show is the state’s biggest boating marketplace, And, yes, it’s time to start thinking about warmer days on the water.

Broadway Magic

Disney’s “Aladdin” will works its magic Jan. 9-14, 2014, at the Fox Theatre. The hit musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years. Having played more than 3,000 performances, the New York production is among the Top 20 longest runs in Broadway history.

“Aladdin,” adapted from the animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including One Thousand and One Nights, is brought to life as Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exciting world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and additional ones written especially for the stage.

Three Chefs Cooking Up a Salty Dinner

Chef Santiago Gomez of Atlanta restaurant Palo Santo welcomes guest chefs Rogelio Garcia of Napa Valley, Calif., and Rodrigo Rivera-Rio, Monterrey, Mexico, for Salty Dinner, a one-night event on Jan. 16 at Palo Santo in Atlanta. Garcia is chef at one Michelin-starred Auro, and Rivera-Rio is chef at KOLI.

The tasting menu, priced at $165 (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with optional wine pairing priced at $65, will showcase the culinary talents of the three chefs. Reservations are available on OpenTable. The event is jointly sponsored by Salty Magazine, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Discover Atlanta (ACVB) and Palo Santo.

Gomez came to Atlanta and opened Palo Santo in 2021. In 2020, his social impact through his culinary work in Miami was acknowledged by “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”

At his restaurant, Garcia created a menu that spotlights Napa Valley produce and artisans.

Rivera-Rio’s KOLI was listed on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Latin America” and featured on the CNN Program “Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico.”

Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting

Sample more than 55 rare, exclusive, cask-conditioned ales, lagers and meads at the Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting Jan. 20, 2024, at Bold Monk Brewing on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. There will be plenty of wild ales, hazy IPAs, fruited beers, wood-aged brews, imperial stouts and sour ales. Best part? It’s a benefit for the Atlanta Humane Society.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Each year, The King Center observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a multi-day celebration of the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Events range from performance art to lectures and charitable workshops. The Martin Luther King Jr. 55th Annual Commemorative Service is held on the federal holiday at Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center. On this day The King Center encourages the world to engage in volunteer service in tribute to the work and life of Dr. King and other Atlanta civil rights activists. Hands On Atlanta mobilizes more than 3,000 volunteers in service to local communities, schools and nonprofits as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 

Visit an Atlanta Spa(hh)

You made it through the holidays. The relatives are gone. The fancy diners have been cooked and all the presents have been put away. Now all you have to do it pay the bills, take a deep breath and take care of yourself, perhaps with a visit to one of these Must Try Spas in Atlanta.

Make Dinner Time Sushi Time

We may have overindulged during the holidays so change up your diet a bit and go out for sushi. Two Atlanta Japanese restaurants received MICHELIN stars, so either would be a good choice. Chef Atsushi Hayakawa is the star behind his restaurant, Hayakawa. Chef J. Trent Harris is the star behind Mujō. Additional restaurants you might try include O-Ku, Nobu, Ocean Wave, Eight Sushi Lounge, Mali Restaurant and Nakato Restaurant.

Hired Guns

Chef and owner Kevin Gillespie and his Gunshow team (which was recommended by MICHELIN) is gearing up for the return of its popular Hired Guns dinner series. On select Sundays during the year the Gunshow team will team up with notable chefs from across the country to showcase their talents, flavors and personalities.

In January, the “hired gun” chef is Mason Hereford, owner of Turkey and The Wolf, the New Orleans sandwich shop that Bon Apetit named the best restaurant in America in 2017. Hereford also is the author of New York Times bestselling cookbook “Turkey and the Wolf: Flavor Trippin’ in New Orleans.”

Monsters on Wheels

The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party show comes roaring into State Farm Arena Jan. 6 and 7, 2024, for the first time. Watch your favorite Hot Wheel Monster trucks including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Demo Derby and the Bone Shaker. The Glow Party production features a laser lights show, theatrical effects, dance parties and Hot Wheel toy giveaways. If you want a real up-close-and-personal experience, attend the Crash Zone Pre-Show party.

WWE SmackDown

The WWE Friday Night SmackDown returns to the State Farm Arena Jan. 19, 2024, with superstars Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa, Charlotte Flair, Kevin Owens and LA Knight. Don’t miss the battle between WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE United States Champion Logan Paul.

Holy Antiques Show

One of the best antique shows every year is the Cathedral Giving By Design (formerly the Cathedral Antiques Show) held at the Cathedral of Saint Philip. The 2024 show is set for Jan. 19 and 20. Be on the lookout for Oriental carpets, rugs and tapestries, antique furniture, unusual accessories, decorative furniture, paintings, English silver, estate jewelry, antique garden accessories, lamps, wall decor and unique estate items. There is a wide range of finds (and prices) — and always something for everyone. The event supports the Boyce L. Ansley School. a tuition-free private school for children experiencing homelessness.

It’s Dead On

There are food tours and then there is the Grant Park Food and Cemetery tour on Jan. 13, 2024. Tour Oakland Cemetery, the final resting place of some of the area’s greatest including author Margaret Mitchell and former Mayor Maynard Jackson, while munching on Southern-inspired flavors from Grant Park restaurants.

For more things to do in Atlanta anytime, visit our calendar of events.

Journalist Mary Welch writes business and lifestyle stories for local and national publications.